Chitra – Vichitra Mela

Chitra Vichitra Mela is one of the largest, purely Adivasi (tribal) festivals of Gujarat associated with the Garasis and Bhil tribes. It takes place every year in the village Gujbhakhari in Poshina block of the Sabarkantha District of Gujarat and is held a fortnight after Holi (the festival of colours) on the new moon day.

The fair sees a congregation of around 60000 to 70000 tribals showcasing their culture through their costumes, ornaments, dances and music. Men usually wear a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron turban. Women wear ghaghras (embroidered skirts) and ornate silver jewellery. Liquid kumkum is used to colour the cheeks and lips a brilliant red while kajal is used for the eyes.

The mythological story behind this fair goes back to Mahabharatha times, when Chitravirya and Vichitravirya, sons of King Shantanu, on the advice of a saint, came to this triveni sangam (meeting place of three rivers; in this case, Sabarmati, Akul and Vyakul) to wash off their sins. They immolated themselves here and in memory of that the tribals mourn through the night before the festival, which is organized in their memory.

The fair also attracts tourists, researchers and scholars who wish to study tribal culture.

Source: http://www.indiaunveiled.in/fairfestivals/chitra-vichitra-mela

Contributed by: Janki Shah, CEE

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